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Monday January 29

Back home and in the office today.  Slightly disoriented from all of the recent travel.  But also feeling content from a weekend well-spent.

Some strategic meetings today, confirming that a) what we are doing has immense value and potential, and b) the capital markets suck right now.  

Whether BTV (BN) survives through this next phase is now dependent upon our relentless determination, faith, and persistence in the face of unreasonably difficult circumstances, pessimistically cautious investors, and impatiently skeptical potential customers. The path in front of and around us is already littered with burned VCs and valuation-stunted companies.  In many ways, it is amazing that we are even still alive.  This is a testament to the vision, talent, intelligence, creativity, and stubbornness of the core Bootleg team.  

We are passing through another great divide.  

Will we make it?  Frankly, I am not sure.  However, I know that we are giving it 100%, we have significant and necessary 'runway' left.   But if we go down, it won't be because we did not use every resource and ounce of energy within our means to make it work.  

* * *

Interesting message in my voice mail today from my old (crafty) friend PeterK: last night, seems he had a dream about me.  In his dream, I was playing "a unique and unusual guitar that does not exist in the physical universe."  Hmmmm...

He also told a story about something that happened to him on the way to a very early SGC rehearsal many many years ago (at BillVB's house).  This story involved a certain James Taylor song and a name he saw written on the sidewalk as he rode his bike to rehearsal.

* * * 

My own dream last night: somehow, I have been chosen to be the 'designated driver' of a bus that is parked in front of the mansion at Claymont Court in West Virginia.  DebraK is on the bus with me along with many other people, most of them familiar, but I can't make out the specific faces.   I can't get the bus started, but we are late (for a gig?), so stress is growing and the people on the bus are getting impatient.  Finally, after a few false starts, somehow, we get the bus engine running, and then I peel out of the (gravel/dirt) driveway of the Claymont mansion;  
But, the vehicle is moving so fast, that I have to cut the corner (driving through the grass) to turn left on to Hewitt Road (passing the Claymont Court sign on the right side instead of the left.)  

One of the 'grounds-keepers' (??) sees this from further Hewitt Road and begins yelling and chasing the bus down Hewitt Road (running towards the bus on foot with a pitch fork!)  

< alarm clock rings >  

* * *

Evening: SGC rehearsal at Ingrid's studio in Ballard.  More fun with "Row Row Row Your Boat," (left over from Saturday's final MOS meeting.)  This time, we were  circulating the melody in time among five guitarists.  We begin optimistically, and quickly realize the non-trivial nature of this task.   How to play this melody (in three) as a group, in time, when the odd number of players means that I have no way to know which note to play at what time until about a fraction of a second (or less) before my note is required.  Doing this successfully requires that each member of the circle know and remain in contact with every note in the melody, as well as it's current and future 'position' in the group, as it passes around the circle.  

Very difficult.   And lot's o' fun.

Then we revisited the 'airport exercise,' an exercise based loosely upon RF's lead "A" pattern (in 5) of "The Driving Force." This is an exercise I have been using for the past year, and it is designed to 'warm up' and build individual stamina for each finger of the left hand equally with a balanced and musically engaging progression.

This is the only exercise I have discovered within the larger GC repertoire of primaries, secondaries, and applied exercises after-which my left-hand fingers each feel completely balanced, warm, strong, able, and stretched. 

My subjective take on why this works for me: each combination of two fingers (1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 2-3, 2-4, 3-4) passes through a natural series of ascending major and minor second intervalss (and a few minor third stretches) in a way that is rhythmically, harmonically, and musically engaging. 

For me, playing this particular exercise puts me into a sort of active meditation that does not come when I practice some of the other things I'm currently working on (ear- training, speed, anchoring, tone, and arpeggiated-scales across three strings.) 

Why is it called the 'airport exercise?'  

Two reasons: a) it's a great warm-up when you only have 15-30 minutes of time while 'waiting' to board a plane,   b) I have played this in many airports all over the country over the past twelve+ months.  

In fact, those who know me well, know that I love practicing in airports;  while everyone else is 'waiting,' stressing, or bored, or finding ways to 'kill' time, I am secretly hoping the plane will be delayed so I can spend even more time with my guitar in a 'distraction free' environment (no meetings, phone calls, external demands, other than showing up on time.)   

I've even run into a few airport groupies who come sit nearby and listen to the guy droning on his A string in the corner.   I've also met a small number of LCG/SGC fans in airports who either recognize the Black Ovation and the string of 16th notes, or who recognize the bony guy from Bumbershoot, Folklife, SAM, On the Boards, King Cat, Sit-n-Spin, Tractor, Firehouse, Mr. Spots, or Borders. 

* * *

Nostalgia moment of the day:  gave a BootlegTV shirt to a friend and former BTV advisor today.  He is planning on wearing it to the CGT/TL/PM show in Santa Cruz tomorrow evening.  

* * *


Tuesday January 30

Many people are sick with a nasty flu/cold/bug that is going around in Seattle, including some very close friends.

* * *

VC diligence all morning.  A great show and tell snapshot of who we are, where we are, and where we are going.  A compelling picture.  

Then, off to the airport for another trip east.

* * *

I'm dying to find out what the 'prog' song that the CGT is covering (Tobin mentions this in his diary.)   What are the potential 'prog' CGT cover songs that would bring me intense joy? First of all, for Tobin to say something like that, it's got to be a 'yes' cover... but which one?

Close to the Edge?
Starship Trooper?
Your Move/All Good People?
Wonderous Stories?
The Gates of Delirium?
Don't Kill the Whale?
Roundabout? (seems too obvious...)?

Tobin, don't leave me hanging here,...

Hmmm.....  none of these really seems convincingly 'coverable' by the CGT,... but then again, who would have ever thought that Bohemian Rhapsody would ever have been possible by a guitar trio?

I really wish I could see the CGT/Levin/Mastelotto tour.  I've dreamt of an LCG spin-off group with drums for over ten years, and this is the second high-visibility actualization (Electric Gauchos being the first) that has been realized. Wish I could hear it.  Previous commitments are keeping me from this tour.   

Too bad BootlegTV is not available to enable me to view the show (or the entire tour) remotely.  I'd pay through the nose to be able to do this.  

<rant> 
Wait - I am paying through the nose for BootlegTV, and it's still not possible... </rant>   

The original BootlegTV dream is not dead:  Someday, every live concert on the planet (and most ever recorded) will be viewable/listenable remotely.  And the artists will be paid for their work in the process. 

In the meantime, congratulations Paul, Bert, Hidi, Tony, Pat (and JohnS and RChrisM?!)    

Please keep going in this format.

* * *

Sometimes it is the really simple things that make life worth living: received an excellent letter today.  

Totally made my day.  

* * * 


Wednesday January 31

I am in love.

* * *

From the mailbag:

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Tobin 
To: sb 
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 9:47 AM
Subject: CGT cover


< Tobin, don't leave me hanging here,... >

You got the band, but "none of the above" on the song... It's one of my fave Yes tunes (the live version) and as soon as I heard the opening salvo it was like, "oh yeah, perfect choice for these guys to cover", particularly with Levin on bass.... No, not Fish...

Someone's probably already told you, or if not they will soon so: Heart of the Sunrise!

Row, row, row... 

You shoulda been at the Salve Regina rehearsals a few years ago... Had I thought to start with something like "Row.." I would've realized it never had a prayer (pun intended) in the time allotted...

Best Wishes through this next Great Divide for BTV. ~T

Wow - Heart of the Sunrise.  Can't wait to hear the bootlegs, uh,... I mean official live recordings!  Bert - you keep surprising me.  Thanks Tobin.  Wish I could have been there...

* * *

Thursday February 01

Still in NYC, sick as a dog.  

Four excellent meetings today, however.  And, the bad (good for business, bad for me) news: a new last minute meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning that I must be/stay here for.   

Need to get home.  Did I mention that I am in love?  

* * *



Friday February 02

Surprising meeting this morning.  We were very well received - a complete surprise since our last visit to these industry veterans. Great thanks to BillB for making this happen.

* * *

Then, flying home via Chicago.  A much needed evening of socialization.  Having a life, and enjoying it immensely.  Gushing.  Extreme gushing.  

* * *

Saturday February 03

Spent most of the day in bed, shaking the flu/cold that has been chasing me down.  Late evening, watched a horrible movie on TV.  What were they thinking when they made this piece of crap?  It was a cheesy remake of a supposed classic.  Bleeech.

* * *


Sunday February 04

Amazing breakfast at home.  Still recovering. 

* * *

home

Monday February 05

Director's meeting early this morning, followed by a meeting over coffee with a reader of this diary who has a complementary start-up in town.  I have been hearing about his company through the grapevine for awhile now.  Nice to finally connect.  

It is a very small world.  And it is getting smaller.

* * *

I am still severely under the weather. Can't seem to shake this cold/flu thing.  To bed early this evening, regrettably, missing SGC rehearsal at Bob and Jaxie's.  

Taking care of myself tonight.  

One of my (publicly) unspoken resolutions this year: I have given up heroism.  I will no longer go to the mat (read, pull superhuman feats, sprint for days at a time, staying up all night, sacrificing my health or personal welfare) on behalf of valiant goals or ambitious endeavors.   

When I am "on,"  I will be ON.  When I am "off," I will be taking care of my self, family, and friends.  I will work a reasonable day.  I'm in for the long haul -- more tortoise, less hare (and hair.)  

This is a big step for me.  

* * *

Recent question from BillR in the mailbag. 

<< Aside from the obvious and useless answer, "They play music," What is it that musicians do? If for instance, one of the things that actors do is to draw upon passion and emotion to convey and idea or a story (at least), What do musicians do at the heart of their activity? >>

Great answer from Curt.  Wonder if he posted it in his diary?   

Side note: Also, I wonder why I can no longer link directly to individual diaries on the GC site?  Perhaps an interested reader will let me know...?

In the meantime, regarding Bill's question, here's my quick un-edited take. (Apply salt as needed.)

* * *

<what do musicians do at the heart of their activity?>

Musicians paint, draw, and tell non-verbal 'stories' with sound. 

Great stories have a beginning, middle, and end; they unfold over time (unlike a painting or static image.) Stories also have identifiable characters (themes, melodies, colors), settings (instrumentation), plot (form and dynamics), and climaxes/conflicts/resolutions (choruses, dissonances, cadences.) 

Great stories bring the reader/listener to life by drawing them out of a passive state and actively transporting them into the 'scene.' The story directly (music) transforms (refines? increases?) the quality of energy within the listener over time. 

Musicians create an intangible resonance within the hearts of listeners who connect with or relate to the 'story' -- this resonance speaks directly to the heart, often without first passing through the brain or intellectual center the way verbal language does. 

Music has the power to transmit emotional energy directly to the heart.

What the musician does is almost like 'channeling.' They transmit the story. The musician both receives and transmits an essential, non-verbal message in the form of energy that I can only describe as love. 

For me, the message I receive directly from music (regardless of the genre, musician, or context) is very clear: 'I am not alone.' 

* * *

Tuesday February 06

A significant anniversary celebrated this evening over a late dinner with friends at Serafina.  Before dinner: an entrepreneurial stroll around Mark Long's "demo club" at I-Spy.  There was a large crowd here visiting a remarkably un-compelling small set of start-ups searching for angel investors.  

One new company caught my eye, however: a young dynamic music technology company.   

Need to keep my eye on this one.

* * *

Tomorrow morning: 6am flight to LA.   Can I stay home now please?  The good news: it's only a 'day trip.'  Back home on the same day!

Travel next week looks like it's shaping up to be another total-brain-killer.  NYC, San Diego, LA and Phoenix.  

Yikes.

* * *

Wednesday February 07

Writing on an Alaska flight from LAX to Seattle.  Up very very early this morning.  The good news: an angel gave me a ride to the airport at an inhuman hour.  Thank you, angel.

Great meetings today, too.  Smart people who get it.  CvB described the success of these meetings as "two for two."  

I agree.

No time to celebrate minor successes: I can't wait to get home and go to bed.  

* * *

Thursday February 08

Rehearsal tonight.

* * *

The real thing afterwards.

Friday February 09

Great dinner with new friends. 

Then I participated in a small music recital. It was a joint piano/guitar event. Tested a new song for the audience. They seemed to enjoy it.

* * *

Saturday February 10

Using today to catch up on all the little things that so easily get forgotten. Washing the car, fixing things around the house, laundry. 

I am also participating vicariously in a semi-annual shopping spree. I am acting as consultant/advisor. Putting to use my own spending skill experience. 

* * *

Dinner at the Mediterranean Kitchen. Wow. They may be putting a drain on the garlic's world economy. Good thing for Altoids.

Went to see "A Delicate Balance" at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. It was a delicate balance between entertainment and sleep.

The highlight may have been watching a bobbing head in the  audience.

Sunday February 11

Music is playing all around me today. I love this song.

* * *

Frank is the man.

* * *

Preparing for a week of travel including Valentine's day in NYC.  

8 ^ (

Somehow, emoticons don't begin to express the injustice of Vday in NYC.  Plotting some things to ease the pain of being away...

* * *

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